ROTARY CLUB OF SASKATOON - SEPTEMBER 25, 2023
MEETING AT THE SASKATOON CLUB with a Zoom alternative.
Jack Brodsky chaired the meeting.
Members sang ‘O’ Canada. Elaine Zakreski gave the blessing. Mark Gryba handled technology.
Cashier was Donna Gauthier. Avis Hardy was greeter and introduced Dave Sundby, who was warmly welcomed by everyone.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
We are helping serve at the Friendship Inn on Monday, October 2, 2023. A sign-up sheet was circulated, and Gary Rusu collected the names of those who volunteered.
Linda Petrow confirmed that the tables for the Craft Fair on November 12 being held at the Travel Lodge are all sold. Elaine Zakreski is graciously paying for the room rental.
On November 27 we will have a Paul Harris potluck, an evening affair, which will be in lieu of our regular monthly meeting. The venue is still to be chosen.
We are looking at going to an event at Persephone on December 8. If we have enough participants, then we can have our own room and appetizers.
We are planning to have a ‘Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner’ event in February.
On November 3 there will be a Rock for Rap event at the Saskatoon Square location.
There is no report for the Health of the Club.
HAPPY AND SAD DOLLARS:
- $20 Mark Gryba mentioned the Hilltops had another huge win; no mention of the other green team. Mark put in an additional $20 in honour of Dave Sundby joining us.
- $10 Steve shared that his daughter, Larissa is expecting her second child in January.
- $100 Graham enjoyed the last week in Penticton.
- $ 100 Jack is happy to see Dave Sundby also he also has another Grandchild on the way.
- $ 20 Garry Rusu, according to my notes, said something about a Rottweiler.
Presentation:
In addition to being emcee for the day, Jack Brodsky was our speaker. He gave a talk about the construction industry.
The construction industry has changed a lot from the mid-90s, when Jack retired from it the first time, until now. Technology has advanced in leaps and bounds.
The electrical aspects of equipment are far more complex with diagnosis of problems requiring only the plugging in of a computer.
The availability of cell phones means communication and sending information is much quicker. GPS helps a lot in big construction jobs as well.
Blade control is automatic on newer equipment, so the operator only has to worry about speed and steering.
In the 90's equipment had open cabs and now they are closed in, which means if the air conditioning stops working the workers say the vehicle is not working.
In the 1990s wages were about $12.50 per hour and now they are $ 35.00 per hour.
In the old days it was rare that anyone dared to ask for a summer vacation. Now it is common.
Workers don’t like going out of town to work, in the old days they didn’t complain.
There are costs to following safety procedures, but some are ridiculous. For example, if you have an oil spill it must be scooped up and driven to Kindersley.
There are environmental concerns but tens of thousands of litres of fuel are used every day. How do you deal with that? Heavy equipment burns more fuel than ever before.
In the old days bids were made on a job and usually the lowest bidder got the job. That is no longer the case. Now the company waits and look at what they perceive to be the best value.
Jack is interested in getting involved with reviewing regulations in the industry and making positive changes.
Next Meeting - October 16. Presentation by Daphne Van Hurk on KidSport.
- reported by Steve Wilson